The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-09-22
Washington Letter.


The Treasury Department was with
out an official head short time this
week, Secretary Bayard having been
absent and Assistant Secretary Porter
having resigned rather precipitately
and returned to his home in Tennessee
1t is whispered among the official gos-
sips that the resignation of the Ex-
Governor is due to serious disagree
ment with Mr.. Bayard over the con-
troversy of the disputed fisheries ques-
ton. At least there was no former
farewell between these distinguished
gentlemen, as Mr.. Porter left before
the return of the Secretary from Mass.
achusetts, whittier he had gone from
Philadelphia. 1t is the opinion of
many that the New England trip was
for the purpose of consulting with we'll
posted Democrats in that section with
the view of securing the services of
suitable men who will act for our Gov
ernment in the settlement of the fish
cries troubles with the Canadian au-
thorities. The policy of our State De-
partlnent seems to be to bring this
troublesome problem to a speedy and
satisfactory solution. In regard to the
purchase of bonds by the Government
the President openly expresses the
opinion that the press criticism upon
the Treasury Department In declining
to accept any of the offers of bonds last
week, is inconsiderate, and the Exec
utive goes on in his forceful and Wig
orous style to warmly defend the
financial methods of Secretary Fair
child, which, of course, have been
adopted with his own sanction.
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury
Maynard has just rendered decision
Allowing interest to some plaintiffs WI o
recovered judgment against sx -Presi
dent Chester A. Arthur, while he was
collector of customs at New York. be
fore he dreamed of the Presidency.
The question of whether both man
and his wife can properly be In the
Federal Service has come up for con.
sideration. Civil Service Commission
er Oberly says that there Ia no legal
prohibition Of such family monopoly
but that departmental rule is against
it. On the contrary, Secretary Fair
child. being questioned about the sub
ject by one of his fair " countesses'
who felt 9 decidedly personal interest
in the matter, informed her that there
was no ruling against such practice
by the present Administration, and hs
advised her to 60 ahead and poo
| their salsries."
The psriOaieal scandal has agaiI
come to the sprface-this tiMe in the
postoffice department=the persons con
cerned being Republican chief of /.
division, who has been left undisturbeC
in good place, and one of his young
lady clerks. Both will have to 60 In
disgrace, for the Postmaster Genera
holds written record of their guilt,
love, furnished by sopls enVi9Ns ssso
lciate in Office. There are those VIII
think, with good reason, that some o
the Government Departments ar
seething cesspools of moral corruption
but it will be a difficult, if indeed no
An impossible task, to ferret out an,
expel in dishoner these loathsom
lepers in comparison with whom
cameleon weuld be as white as tn
drifted snow. If should put in prin
all know it would ereate commO
tion second only to the startling rev
eIations of the Pail Mall Gazstte. An,
such are the relics of the Republican
reglme-the grand old party of hig
moral ideas. God save the mark
will take the great Democratic party
long time to cleanse the Augean sta
bles, bat that glorious task will
nobly performed, even If 1t requires
quarter of century's work.
! Offerings Of over fve millions {
four and g. half per cent. Government
bonds were opened by the Treasur
this week-ef which sum little NOR
than four millions were accepted
prices ranging from 1o7 9s to 100 fo
coupon bonds:
President and Mrs. Cleveland an
many prominent officials of the Go,
ernment leave today to participate
tie Philadelphia pageant in honor {
the Centennial of the adoption of til
Constitution of the United States, an
the celebration will no doubt be flu
worthy of the immortal instrumeI
!. that it commeuGrates.